Painting smiles

SEVEN years ago, Anne Atkin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but she hasn’t let that slow her down.
Instead, the Hallam woman has created a program to help others going through the same ordeal.
Ms Atkin’s outstanding work has earned her the 2013 Casey Citizen of The Year award.
The 62-year-old Parkinson’s ambassador was honoured at the 2013 Casey Australia Day Awards ceremony on Saturday, 26 January.
Ms Atkin said she was shocked but also “thrilled to bits” to learn she had won.
“When you sit down and listen to stories of other nominees, you just think ‘wow- there’s wonder people out there’. It’s hard to compare yourself to them,” Ms Atkin said.
“But I am thrilled to bits and see this as a way of being able to give back to council after all the support they have given to us (Painting with Parkinson’s group).”
Painting with Parkinson’s was initially a therapeutic art group at The Old Cheese Factory in Berwick, but has undergone some changes due to research which showed that exercise, mindfulness and creativity are powerful tools in helping people with the disease to help themselves.
The group has now extended its focus to include socialisation, exercise and a variety of activities.
A group has also started in Mt Martha and there are plans to establish groups in Warnambool, Ringwood and Torquay.
Ms Atkin said it was important for people with the disease to get out of their comfort zone.
“With Parkinson’s, unless you constantly remind yourself to smile, you look grumpy and sour all the time and people don’t approach you,” Ms Atkin said.
“In these groups you can work together, enjoy each moment and learn not to waste life away, you become more interested in the world around you.”
Ms Atkin said she loved helping people and would continue to teach the program for as long as she could.
“I am so used to doing this work, It’s what I love,” she said.
“I will keep doing it until they drag me out or I can’t do it anymore.”
Ms Atkin said it was humour that also helped her get through the bad days and relieve tension. Her book, Living and Laughing with Parkinson’s, has helped others to also do just that.
She will be releasing her second book, Still Laughing, mid 2013.
“This book is more about the middle stages of Parkinson’s, as things get more complicated,” she said.
Ms Atkin encouraged people to attend Painting with Parkinson’s on Wednesdays from 9.30am until 11.30am.
Cost is a gold coin donation – usually about three dollars – and all material is provided.
Anyone wanting more information can call Ms Atkin on 0409 188 317 or visit www.anneatkinart.com.